Study Reveals: Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to Shortened Lifespan

An unpublished study presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting in Chicago suggests that consuming a lot of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) might shorten your life. The research, led by Erikka Loftfield from the National Cancer Institute, examined data from nearly 541,000 participants aged 50 to 71 in the US National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study conducted in 1995.

Impact on Lifespan

The study found that people who ate the most UPFs faced a higher risk of dying from heart disease or diabetes compared to those who ate the least. Specifically, the risk of shortened lifespan was more than 10%, and after adjustments, it rose to 15% for men and 14% for women.

Key Culprits Identified

According to Loftfield, highly processed meats and sugary sodas were strongly associated with this increased mortality risk. Processed meats like bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats are linked to stomach cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and early death. Meanwhile, diet sodas, containing artificial sweeteners and other additives, have been linked to cardiovascular issues, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke, and gut health disturbances.

Demographic Insights

The study also highlighted that younger and more obese individuals tend to consume more UPFs, indicating poorer overall diet quality among these groups.

Study Limitations

However, the study acknowledged limitations, such as the reliance on dietary data collected over 20 years ago, potentially underestimating current UPF consumption trends.

Future Considerations

Loftfield noted concerns that UPF consumption has likely increased since the study period, suggesting a growing impact on public health.